Far EasTone Partners with Elveo Mobile to Develop D2D Satellite Services in Taiwan

Taiwanese mobile operator Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) has announced a partnership with Elveo Mobile to advance direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity, expanding its strategy to integrate terrestrial mobile networks with satellite communications infrastructure.

The companies say that their collaboration will focus on developing satellite-to-mobile capabilities that could allow conventional smartphones to maintain basic communications beyond terrestrial cellular coverage. FET intends to incorporate these services into a broader network architecture combining terrestrial mobile connectivity, satellite broadband and D2D satellite services, supporting both coverage expansion and network resilience.

Elveo Mobile is developing a satellite connectivity platform combining spectrum resources, satellite infrastructure and partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators worldwide. The company was formed through the combination of Lynk Global and Omnispace, bringing together their respective D2D technologies and mobile satellite spectrum assets. The partnership gives FET another potential route to satellite-enabled mobile services as it evaluates different technologies and deployment models.

Of particular focus for the Taiwan market could be communications resilience and emergency preparedness, where satellite connectivity could provide an additional communications layer during natural or man-made disasters or disruptions to terrestrial infrastructure. FET is also exploring applications for enterprise customers, public services and mission-critical operations, alongside future consumer connectivity offerings.